Sunday, February 07, 2010

Are You An Oreo? by Megan

I am.

I have the pleasure of taking care of my mom while having children at home. My friend calls me part of the sandwich generation, wedged between different responsibilities. Now, if I'm going to be a sandwich, I'm going to be the sweet, creamy center of a cookie!

I'm already double-stuffed, lol, so an Oreo seems like a natural choice.

Raising my children is a responsibility of love. So is caring for my mom. She was in the hospital last month while I was on deadline and had bronchitis. After some antibiotics for me and my sinus/ear infections, and three heart stents for Mom, we are mending.

I prefer when everyone is well (DH had a 101.5 fever for three days during this time; now my children are coming down with ... something), but I'll take what comes. I feel extremely lucky to have my mom still with us. I'm incredibly blessed with two children and the man I love as my partner.

That same friend's children are grown and gone, and her parents are independent and live far away also. She has a different life than I, not a richer or poorer life, but different. Someday my mom will be gone and my children out on their own, and it will all come sooner than I'm ready for. In the meantime, I will enjoy the ups and downs and feel blessed for each fevered brow, straight A report card, and moment I spend with them.

Here's wishing you a happy day, no matter what stage of life you're in. If you must be "wedged" between two generations, remember, you're the sweet, creamy center.

7 comments:

Megan,I, too, cared for my mom in the years that led up to her passing. And six months later, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and moved in with us. Sure, seeing to their care was hard work and placed a huge demand on my time, but I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I feel blessed that I was the one who was able to give back to the women who had done so much for me.Sign me, Another Oreo

Unfortunately for my kids, I'm the one needing help. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and it really limits what I'm able to do. I can still live on my own, but I haven't been able to drive and shop for myself or even take trash out so they have to do a lot for me as well as take care of their own families. They are great daughters though and I try not to ask too much of them. My mother is 88 and gets around better than I do, thank goodness.

Megan, I too am an oreo. Funny because that is the exact term my aunt used for me on the phone yesterday. My 83 year old mom moved in with us last summer. She's deaf, but still gets around pretty well. My boys are out of the house and married, but still need some support. Grandkids, especially the two small grandsons seem to depend on me for a lot of things. To top it off, I have twin 70 year old aunts neither with kids of their own. So guess who will be there for them.

And Linda, I'm so sorry about your rheumatoid. The youngest of my mom's sisters has rhumatoid and it's painful for us to watch her. Luckly my Lupus isn't cripling. Both run in our family.

SO yes, Megan, as one oreo to the other, I can certainly relate. But I'm so thankful for the opportunity to do this. And Linda, I'm betting your daughters feel the same.

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